Rap Attack's Mr. Magic dies

John Rivas, better known as New York disc jockey Mr. Magic died of a heart attack earlier Friday. He was an inspirational figure in hip-hop music as he co-founded WBLS-FM's "Rap Attack" show in 1983, which hit the airwaves officially in 1989. His six year span on the show helped give the music more validity as a genre. In its prime years it featured Marley Marl as the DJ and Tyrone "Fly Ty" Williams as the show's co-producer. Mr. Magic also was part of a battle in the mid-80's against fellow radio disc jockey for another station named Kool DJ Red Alert. The Juice Crew headed by Marley Marl figured into this feud as well. When it comes to hip-hop pioneers you're not likely to hear people immediately mention "Mr. Magic", but in fact he is one of the rap pioneers who brought the music genre to the mainstream. He's been name dropped by Notorious BIG as an early inspiration- "Every Saturday - Rap Attack - Mr. Magic Marley Marl" on the hit song Juicy. Other rappers to mention him include Whodini, Tupac Shakur and Nas on various songs. He released a few albums including greatest hits from the Rap Attack show. Mr. Magic was also featured in the hit video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" as one of the disc jockeys on a radio station. His radio show is also heard during a scene in the movie "Notorious" about BIG's life story. Various searches seem to turn up little information on Rivas' birthdate, so his age at death is not yet posted. RIP to John "Mr. Magic" Rivas, an early influence in hip hop....

Tupac Shakur Alive - TMZ Sighting?

Is Tupac Shakur alive? TMZ wants you to believe there was a recent Tupac sighting. The Online entertainment and celebrity gossip media site, TMZ.com, recently ran a story claiming they have photos of Tupac Shakur, alive and kicking it. The "evidence" comes from a TMZ.com photo gallery called "Tupac Lives" seen here. In the photos, a man who closely resembles Tupac (from the side) is shown in a bar/club wearing a white long sleeve shirt and enjoying drinks with other patrons. He's got the facial hair, the nose ring and the serious Pac look going on. Since the photos are all from the side view, there's a considerable resemblance but not enough to fully call the man much more than a really good Tupac look-alike. Maybe even a good casting call for a new movie about the life of Shakur (similar to "Notorious"). 2Pac was reported murdered 13 years ago, but many fans, and of course the celebrity gossip site want to believe he's still alive, similar to the Elvis Presley sightings many people claim each year. TMZ is notorious for catching celebrities, both real and fake in compromising, humiliating and other public situations, sometimes resulting in dramatic consequences. While it would be nice to see Tupac alive again, as of now Tupac's autopsy still says he's DOA.